Tee Pads?

[PA_Disc]

I am wondering what you guys take is on rubber tee pads vs. gravel. I am thinking that I would like to add new rubber tee pads to the existing tee boxes b/c the stone seems to be easily "kicked" out of the boxes creating a consistant maintanence issue. Does any one know specifically a distributor of such rubber pads? Does anyone have experience playing on them?

[MattK]

The distributer I've heard of is the Fly-18 (http://fly18.com/pads.html) people who did the pads at Pymatuning (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=140). The pads have a cushiony-springy feel that I kind of liked. I did notice that one of their pads had begun to fall apart in only its first year of use, but I hope this was just an isolated defect, since the other 26 pads they installed there looked perfect. Here's some pics (http://www.flyingdiscmagazine.com/4141discgolf.com/pymcourse.html) of the install...

[PhattD]

I don't have much experience with the rubber pads however I have heard that they have durability issues. I'm not a fan of gravel either because it's easy to slide on it, Same with wood chips. I've seen some nice looing dirt T-pads that were defined by buried 4x4's so you had a defined line to Tee from.

[jedwards]

Here is an interesting article about "Launch Pads" with some pricing info at the bottom (link).

http://www.disconcepts.com/LAUNCH%20PAD.htm

[PA_Disc]

Here is an interesting article about "Launch Pads" with some pricing info at the bottom (link).

http://www.disconcepts.com/LAUNCH%20PAD.htm

Ive talked with Pat from Disconcepts, I have also talked with Reece from Fly18.
What I am curious about is durability, likeability, service from the company.

[sfeather]

I personally prefer natural to wood chips and gravel. The unstable traction is disconcerting. Concrete tees keep you up out of low areas that may hold water, but my knees ache after playing a few rounds on them. The renewed rubber tees are great on the knees with nice traction. I wonder about the issue of durability with them, but it is the same material that has been used on playgrounds for sometime now. The difference is that playgrounds are larger, and the traction areas are less defined (except under swings). Have also played on natural tees with outdoor carpet laid. It was different, and cant say if it was good or bad.

[JR Stengele]

Fly 18 and cement tees are by far the best. Too much loose materials makes for a sloppy throw.

[iDisc]

i would go with making dirt tee pads then put logs on 3 out of the 4 sides. cheap and effective

[PA_Disc]

i would go with making dirt tee pads then put logs on 3 out of the 4 sides. cheap and effective

The tee pads are already installed with gravel. I am looking for another alternative.

[johnt1969]

I am wondering what you guys take is on rubber tee pads vs. gravel. I am thinking that I would like to add new rubber tee pads to the existing tee boxes b/c the stone seems to be easily "kicked" out of the boxes creating a consistant maintanence issue. Does any one know specifically a distributor of such rubber pads? Does anyone have experience playing on them?

I haven't played very often on the rubber ones but I really dislike the gravel pads. I think your feet stick in them more and they put a lot of pressure on your knees. They also get uneven very quickly.

I know concrete pads are expensive but have you considered them?

[PA_Disc]

I haven't played very often on the rubber ones but I really dislike the gravel pads. I think your feet stick in them more and they put a lot of pressure on your knees. They also get uneven very quickly.

I know concrete pads are expensive but have you considered them?

Thats why im looking for another alternative. I thought about concrete, but due to the locations of the teed pads, installation costs would be thru the roof. Plus, I like the idea of have pervious surfaces in the park system. There is enough paving around already. Plus concrete is not to comfy to play on plus it tears up your shoes... Rubber is the way to go IMO.

[DeafDiscGolfer]

What about using asphalt concrete? Its cheap and flexible. I am sure the city/town's road maintenance crew have some leftovers that can be used on the course. Usually, the leftovers were offered to the neighborhood who needs some minor fillings on their driveways for cheap prices.

The only downsides of using asphalt is that it might get hot during hot summer days (best not go barefooted) and it might crack and develop uneven surfaces over the time unless the tee pad were laid out properly to prevent that.

Just a thought...:rolleyes:

[PA_Disc]

I would rather use cement concrete over asphalt since, IMO, aspahalt looks tacky. Plus like you said, over time it would fall apart. Really the locations of the tee boxes severely limit the possibilities for the materials. I guess there are only two choices Fly18 or DiscConcepts...

[JR Stengele]

fLY 18

[sk8architecture]

Try looking at a company called Enviorseal. This company developed a product for the military. Its main use is for roads in places like Iraq, but basically its like a paint that you mix with water and then mix into dirt and gravel and compact. Once dried this stuff is harder than concrete. Its now used for alot of ADA walking paths for parks. I contacted the company and they gave me a sample and some specs. Stuff is awsome. I used at a alternate pad at my local course and it is much easier then anything to install. Simply graded out a 4x8 foot pad that was 2 inches of loose dirt. Mix in the solution 50% water 50% enviorseal. Mixed it into the dirt until it was mud and then compacted it with a shovel, let dry two days and bam hard as a rock and just as tacky as concrete. Cheap product and has little labor. I probaly could have got a better level pad if I used a compacter but if your on a rough course and you have to pack in tools a shovel works fine.

Contact the company let then know your interested and get a sample of the product so you can test it somewhere. Its also a certified product by the US Green Building Council so its enviorment friendly:)

[PA_Disc]

Try looking at a company called Enviorseal. This company developed a product for the military. Its main use is for roads in places like Iraq, but basically its like a paint that you mix with water and then mix into dirt and gravel and compact. Once dried this stuff is harder than concrete. Its now used for alot of ADA walking paths for parks. I contacted the company and they gave me a sample and some specs. Stuff is awsome. I used at a alternate pad at my local course and it is much easier then anything to install. Simply graded out a 4x8 foot pad that was 2 inches of loose dirt. Mix in the solution 50% water 50% enviorseal. Mixed it into the dirt until it was mud and then compacted it with a shovel, let dry two days and bam hard as a rock and just as tacky as concrete. Cheap product and has little labor. I probaly could have got a better level pad if I used a compacter but if your on a rough course and you have to pack in tools a shovel works fine.

Contact the company let then know your interested and get a sample of the product so you can test it somewhere. Its also a certified product by the US Green Building Council so its enviorment friendly:)

Ive seen that stuff before in one of my trade magazines. I was not sure how it would work on screenings tho. Maybe I need to give it a shot. Are you in the Architecture/Engineering Field by chance?

[sk8architecture]

Yes I am a Architect by trade.

The product is pretty cool and can be adapted for different uses. For Insatnce maybe you want nice permanant tee pads that are like concrete. Follow the product installation guidelines and you will get just that. Or maybe its a seasonal course like at a ski resort. Ignore the specs and do your own homebrew application to get you a nice tee pad to last for the season.

[JR Stengele]

Sounds like you need to install them on the Sedro Course all over Q. What do you think? Would the parks and rec let you?

[sidearmkid3]

I found a great solution recently go to stable-grid.com these work very well

[DiscChainBasket18]

Keep in mind, the rubber pads do get slippery when wet. Rain or even dew can make for a slip-n-slide experience.

[Steve West]

Pervious concrete is an option.

[baileyt1212]

One of the mines up here donated some old rubber conveyer belt for pads. They work really well until they get wet and then they are real slick. We have another course with old grippy outdoor track and feild running track rubber that is great in all conditions. We have dirt pads that work fine. But, I think the best would be concrete.

[Green Aarrow]

Rubber's fine until they get water and mud on them. If you don't have a good area behind the rubber pads to use in such instances, they're worthless IMO.

[superium]

I was looking into some alternate for natural teepads and couldnt find any kind of cheap material. I looked into the artificial turf and the cheapest I could find was a round $100 for a 6'x10' roll. Prices were similar for rubber material i found. And no I'm not going to use carpet, thats just ghetto.

[Skinny Disc Guy]

I'd vote for concrete tee pads, there are small gas powered mixers you can rent and easily movable with 2 guys to get to your tee pad locations. Yes, this is going to be a little labor intensive overall with the mixer and carrying/wheelbarrowing cement bags, but well worth it in the end for longevity. Around the DFW metroplex most of the courses here all have concrete tee pads. The exception is east of Dallas in Canton they have used sandy loam for the boxes for now. They are testing the rubber mats, but my vote still lays with concrete in the long run.

[horsmanm]

Gravel = Rolled ankles Heaven

[Dsplayname]

I like the rubber pads when it is sunny and dry outside, but like others have said, they are a big negative when wet or dirty.
I have no ideas on price, but those rubber floor mats they use in restaurant kitchens would work well. They have big enough spaces to not retain water or dirt, and don't tear up shoes or get slippery.

[Sean40474]

I'm all about the fly pads over concrete/asphalt or natural tees. We got some on a new mountain course we built last year, but the guy who bought them isn't here anymore, so I can't ask him where he got them.

[jaybob]

I am not a fan of concrete pads. There is nothing wrong with dirt as long as it drains well. The metal grating sounds like something i would like to try.

[Trav]

We've had LaunchPads on my course now for about 4 years and have absolutely zero problems with them. Installation is the key, spend a few extra bucks for a gravel compactor and pressure-treated 4x4 frames. My pads get about an hours worth of water every night during the summer and have never had standing water on them.

[Captain Bad]

There are a couple courses around here with gravel tees. One is more like packed earth topped with gravel. The other is more like a shallow pit filled with pea gravel if that makes any sense. They both suck. The footing is very insecure, so people often tee off from the dirt beside the tee box. Defeats the whole purpose of installing the tee in the first place if you ask me.

I definitely prefer the rubber pads over gravel. As others have said, though, rubber pads are great until they get wet and muddy. Then they're slick as hell.

Honestly, I think concrete pads are the way to go. Unless they were covered in snow/ice, I've never felt insecure on concrete.

[jkdisc]

i hate the rubber. id rather be on a natural tee. rubber makes me feel like my leg is gonna catch wrong or slip.

[NicedGuy]

I've been doing some research on rubber pads for the expansion holes at Murdock park. I found that you can buy the exact same material that Launchpads are made from at Rural King and Tractor Supply. I called the company that makes it to see if I could get better pricing and was informed that they sell them to Disconcepts.

Our local Rural King sells the 4' wide 1/4" for $4.99/ft and 3/8" for $7.50/ft. That's the best price I've found on any rubber tee pads plus we didn't have to pay any shipping.

I bought a 10' piece of the 1/4" for testing. So far the results have been great. We played on it today and even with mud and snow on it the traction was good, nobody was slipping.

[Jukeshoe]

brushed concrete > (non-glazed) brick > faux grass/turf > rubber > natural > gravel > glazed brick